Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Friday announced that a full lockdown will be imposed in the state for two weeks, starting 10 May.
The decision was taken to arrest the spread of coronavirus as the state registered its highest single-day surge on Friday.
Announcing the lockdown in Tamil Nadu, the government has said the shutdown decision was taken due to "unavoidable circumstances" in the state due to the rise in Covid-19 cases. Stalin govt also pointed out that the decision was taken based on inputs received at a review meeting he had with district collectors on Friday, besides consultations with medical experts.
The announcement said that vegetable shops, meat and fish shops, fertiliser, fodder shops, and provisional stores will be open till 12 pm every day. However, other shops will remain closed,
The newly formed Stalin government has also said that the State-owned liquor shops Tasmac will be closed during this lockdown. This was DMK's demand to the then AIADMK government during the previous lockdown.
Some respite has given to the restaurant owners as they have been allowed for takeaway services.
The government also said that only essential services will work, all others will be work from home.
Petrol diesel bunks will remain open.
Amma Canteens have been allowed to work during the lockdown. E-registration will be must for travelers coming from other states. The DMK government has put a ban on travel to tourist places.
The 26,465 new cases on Friday have pushed the caseload in the southern state to 13,23,965. Up to 197 virus-related deaths were also witnessed in the state during the period, taking the total number of fatalities to 15,171.
This comes a day after the state recorded 26,465 new Covid-19 cases in the biggest single-day spike so far.